Tehran seeks fair and just negotiations with the United States.

Key Chapter Title List

1. Iranian President Signals Willingness to Negotiate
2. Supreme Leader's Advisor Comments on Nuclear Issue
3. Direct Negotiations with the U.S. Are a Highly Sensitive Topic Within Iran's Theocracy
4. Wittkopf Visits Israel
5. Trump Administration's Stance and Statements
6. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

Document Introduction

This report, based on real-time information as of February 3, 2026, analyzes a potential turning point in U.S.-Iran relations following Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's public statement expressing willingness to engage in fair and just negotiations with the United States. This statement represents the first clear signal for talks from Iran after last month's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests and ongoing tense confrontations with Washington. The report indicates that this declaration marks a significant policy shift by reformist President Pezeshkian and suggests he has gained support from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had previously rejected such negotiations. Turkey is engaged in behind-the-scenes mediation, attempting to facilitate talks on its soil later this week, while U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Wittkopf is visiting the region.

The report delves into the core obstacles to negotiations and the positions of various parties. Through Ali Shamkhani, a senior security advisor to Khamenei, Iran has clarified that talks will focus solely on the nuclear issue, ruling out the possibility of shipping enriched uranium to Russia as in the 2015 agreement, while firmly refusing to abandon its uranium enrichment rights. This constitutes a major obstacle in negotiations with the U.S. Shamkhani confirmed that due to U.S. military airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the June war, part of the enriched uranium stockpile is buried under rubble, with an unknown quantity and dangerous to extract. Iran has also refused verification requests from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran had previously enriched uranium to 60% purity, just a step away from weapons-grade level.

The report also assesses the dynamics of the United States and relevant regional actors. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to negotiate but listed Iran's nuclear program as one of the negotiation requirements and retained the option of military action. U.S. Envoy Wittkopf plans to visit Israel, where it is expected that Israel will demand any agreement must include terms such as the removal of Iran's enriched uranium, cessation of uranium enrichment, restrictions on ballistic missile development, and an end to support for proxy forces. Hardliners like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have expressed skepticism about the possibility of reaching a long-term, stable solution under Khamenei's rule. Furthermore, the report mentions an incident involving multiple small armed vessels in the Persian Gulf's Strait of Hormuz, suggesting regional tensions have not completely eased despite diplomatic signals.

This analysis synthesizes multiple sources, including statements from the Iranian President's social media, reports from Iranian semi-official media, television interviews with Khamenei's advisors, disclosures from anonymous U.S. and Turkish officials, and notices from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations office. It aims to provide professional readers with a multi-dimensional, real-time picture of the possibility of U.S.-Iran negotiations, core points of divergence, and regional security implications. High uncertainty remains regarding whether talks will be held, in what form, and whether they can break historical constraints to achieve substantive progress. This report provides a crucial factual foundation and a preliminary assessment framework for these questions.